The City of Minneapolis is moving forward with a plan to create the Minneapolis Democracy Center at 3000 Minnehaha Ave., the former 3rd precinct police building. The Minneapolis Democracy Center (MDC) will house Elections and Voter Services as well as a large, ground-floor space for community use. This will include the Early Vote Center, offices for election staff, flexible space for election-related equipment and supplies and 8,000 square feet space available for lease to a community partner.
Community Space RFP Still Open
In December, the City issued an RFP for a tenant to program the community space. Applications for that RFP are still open. Proposals are due by 2 p.m. on March 14. Potential tenants should consider uses that promote racial healing and that provide a community benefit to Minneapolis residents.
A link to the RFP can be found on the City’s website.
The review process will include community engagement with the hope that a tenant will be selected by May 2025.
Clean-Up
Crews from Property Services and Public Works have been working on cleanup and maintenance of the site. In 2024, the City allocated $1.5 million to do additional cleanup and stabilization work as well as to make the building safe for workers and repairs. This work resulted in moving fencing off the sidewalk and the removal of razor wire. The City is currently working on the interior of the building, performing selective demolition and clean-up in advance of the complete building renovation. Additional work to be performed includes building systems updates, replacing windows and doors and rebuilding the front entry at Lake and Minnehaha. Work will continue through the summer of 2025.
2024 Community Engagement
Plans for the Minneapolis Democracy Center were developed following months of community engagement.
Throughout 2024, the City conducted open houses, curated conversations and shared online surveys. The results of the engagement showed support for the democracy center proposal outweighed opposition more than threefold, with 63% in support and 17% opposed.
In addition, residents showed interest in several uses for the community space, including various social services, community-based cultural programs, and a variety of business or commercial uses.
Next steps
The City is also moving forward with the design process for the Minneapolis Democracy Center. The City intends to include the selected tenant in the planning, design and build-out of the available community space. The City is currently working through the process to select a design consultant for the project, and anticipates design activities to extend through 2025, with full building reconstruction occurring in 2026.
To learn more, visit the City’s project website and sign up for Minneapolis Democracy Center updates.